WO2003017021A2

WO2003017021A2 - Method and system for disposing of discarded items

Info

Publication number: WO2003017021A2
Application number: PCT/IB2002/003058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frederico Wagner; Geraldo Luiz Yosikawa; Fabio Zsigmond
Original assignee: Frederico Wagner
Priority date: 2001-08-14
Filing date: 2002-07-17
Publication date: 2003-02-27
Also published as: BR0212182A; EP1419019A2; US20060261165A1; WO2003017021A3; US20040112960A1; US20030034391A1; US7303124B2; US7086592B2; EP1419019A4; AU2002355999A1; US6663004B2

Abstract

An electronic trash disposal unit (10) comprises a control unit (100) which scans and identifies disposed items to store them in an appropriate recycling bin (112a, 113a, 114a, 115a). The unit is connectable to a communication network (730) which updates a central database with the contents of each unit. The unit initiates a reorder instruction to suppliers.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPOSING OF DISCARDED ITEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

n/a

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

n/a

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a trash disposal system and method, and in

particular, to an electronic trash disposal system and method which automatically

facilitates the reordering and recycling of disposed items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposal of trash has been an issue humans have had to deal with since the

beginning of civilization. Often when trash became a problem, people would

simply cover over the trash with dirt and build on top of the rubble. Countless

plagues have been associated with improper refuse disposal and, although modern

technology has helped society deal with waste disposal, the challenge remains to

handle discarded items efficiently and safely.

Because of the world's expanding population, the age-old solution of

burying trash is becoming less attractive for many reasons including limited space and contamination of the environment, to name a few. In an effort to help alleviate

some of the problems associated with discards, recycling has been gaining in

popularity. Although recycling helps both by reducing the overall amount of trash

and by making more efficient use of natural resources, it generally requires more

processing including separating different kinds of recyclable articles from the

general refuse. Consumers often regard the extra effort and/or cost associated with

recycling less than favorably.

Another consideration of modern trash disposal is that when an item is

discarded, it often needs to be replaced. Generally, this requires a human operator

to take action to ensure that the required item is replaced.

A trash disposal system is needed which can track the disposal of items and

automatically reorder required items that have been discarded as well as help

alleviate some of the perceived shortcomings of recycling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic discard unit

which includes a central processing unit (CPU), an identification database

accessible by the CPU, a content database accessible by the CPU, at least one input

device coupled to the CPU. The CPU executes programmatic software to perform

functions including:

1. using the at least one input device to obtain a code corresponding

to a discarded item; 2. identifying the discarded item by referring to the identification

database;

3. updating the content database to include an entry corresponding to

the identified discarded item; and

4. generating a re-order instruction for replacing the discarded item.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a trash receiving

unit which includes a holding container and a computer operably coupled to the

holding container. The computer has a central processing unit, at least one user

operable input device and a content database which is accessible by the computer.

The computer is operable to execute programmatic software instructions to

perform the functions of:

1. updating the content database with information regarding a trash

item stored the holding container;

2. receiving input from at least one user operable input device, the

received input includes an instruction to reorder the trash item; and

3. generating a re-order instruction corresponding to the trash item in

the holding container.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic

trash system which includes one or more electronic discard units. Each unit

includes a central processing unit (CPU), an identification database accessible by

the CPU, a content database accessible by the CPU and at least one input device

coupled to the CPU. The CPU executes programmatic software that perform

functions including: 1. using at least one input device to obtain a code corresponding to a

discarded item;

2. identifying the discarded item by referring to the identification

database;

3. updating the content database to include an entry corresponding to

the identified discarded item; and

4. generating a re-order instruction for replacing the discarded item.

The system also includes a central database and a communication networked that

couples one or more of the electronic discard units to the central database.

Yet a further embodiment of the present invention provides an

electronically activated disposal unit which includes a storage container having an

opening, an input device operatively coupled to the opening for identifying a

discarded item passing through the opening and a computer operatively coupled to

the input device. The computer executes a program that performs the functions of:

1. receiving a code corresponding to the discarded item from the input

device;

2. identifying the discarded item based on the code;

3. updating a content database with information corresponding to the

discarded item; and

4. generating a re-order instruction for a selected discarded item.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides a trash disposal

system which includes a storage container, a means for identifying an item placed in the storage container, a means for separating identified items according to one

or more recycling rules; and a means for re-ordering the identified discarded item.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of

I disposing of an item using an electronic trash unit which has a storage bin includes

scanning the item for a machine readable code. The machine readable code is

stored in an electronic storage medium. A re-order instruction is generated for the

item based on the machine readable code. The item is stored in the storage bin,

and a content database is updated with information regarding the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant

advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to

the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of an electronic trash unit according to an

embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the control panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the back of the control panel shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of the internal components of the control panel according

to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic trash network according to an

embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a detailed process of disposing of trash according

to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic trash (e-trash) unit is shown generally as

10 and includes a storage area 120, a controllable lid 110 which is moveably

connected to cover the storage area 120 and a control panel 100 which is

positioned on top of the controllable lid 110. Storage area 120 can take the form

of any suitable shape (i.e., cylindrical, rectangular, square, etc.). In the

embodiment shown, trash is deposited in the proper container using gravity. As

illustrated, the controllable lid 110 contains four separate openings 112, 113, 114

and 115 and four separate storage bins 112a, 113a, 114a and 115a which

correspond to the openings, respectively. In the closed position, these openings

work together to provide a temporary holding shelf where a trash item to be

discarded (not shown) may be placed. The trash item to be discarded is placed so

that a scanning device 140 located on the control panel 100 can electronically read

a code such as a bar code located on the trash item. The trash item is identified

and the proper opening is activated allowing the trash item placed on the

controllable lid 110 to fall into the proper storage bin (112a, 113a, 114a and 115a)

in storage area 120. The storage bins (112a, 113a, 114a and 115a) as well as the

storage area 120 may be constructed of metal and fabricated using known methods

of construction, or may be constructed out of a polymer or composite material.

Each of the storage bins (112a, 113a, 114a and 115a) may contain a removable liner (not shown) to facilitate emptying of the unit 10. The liner may be disposable

and remain with the discarded trash or it may be a reusable liner that may be

emptied into a larger depository and returned to the unit 10. The liners may be

made in different colors to indicate the kind of recyclables present therein. It

should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other means of sorting and

storing trash would be suitable and are considered to be within the scope of this

disclosure such as using a conveyor belt system to transport the trash items

identified in the manner disclosed above to the storage area 120. Also, although

four openings are shown (112, 113, 114 and 115), more or fewer openings may be

utilized without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The control panel 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 2 - 4. As shown,

the control panel 100 is arranged to provide an easy to operate user interface for

the e-trash unit 10. The control panel 100 includes an information display 130

which displays information about the trash item discarded in accordance with the

present invention. Examples of the kind of information displayable include

detailed descriptions about the item, cost to replace the item, title of the item,

identification code, product advertisement, as well as other information that might

be useful to the user. The displayed information may be customized to suit the

individual needs of the user. The displayable information may be stored in a

database that resides within the unit 10 or may be accessed from a remote database

using a communication network such as the Internet. Although the display 130 is depicted as a visual display, it is within the

scope of this disclosure to use any suitable means to communicate the desired

information to the user such as a speech synthesis output device.

In an embodiment of the invention, a discard button 125 is used to initiate

the control command that scans the trash item. Other methods could be used such

as a pressure activated switch located on the controllable lid 110 that automatically

starts the process when the trash item is placed thereon. Other user functions may

be incorporated as needed and are representatively illustrated as button 126.

Button 126 may be a software programable button which is user configured to

customize the unit 10 or it may be a function specific input such as an over-ride

switch. A bar code scanner 140 is positioned to scan the trash item placed on the

controllable lid 110 to identify the item using a machine scan-able code affixed

thereon. The code may be affixed from the manufacturer or it may be applied by

the user of the present invention. Other electronic means of item identification

may be used such as optical laser scanners or magnetically encoded labels as is

known in the art to identify the trash item and are included in this disclosure.

The control unit 100 may also have a variety of interface components as

needed by particular applications. In an embodiment, the control unit 100 includes

a keyboard port 240, a serial port 230 a phone line adaptor 220 and a network

adaptor such as an Ethernet adaptor 210. A keyboard (not shown) may be used to

enter alphanumeric information into the control unit 100 such as item codes or

discard instructions. The serial port 230 may be used to connect a variety of

external peripherals such as but not limited to personal digital assistant (PDA), printers, backup drives, etc. Such devices are known in the art and the present

invention allows users to utilize appropriate technology to interface with the

control unit 100 to best suit the need of the user. For example, a tape backup drive

can be plugged in to the serial port 230 to make a nightly backup of the day's

activity of the unit 10 or a user might comiect a PDA to the control unit 100 using

the appropriate interface (i.e. serial port 230 or network adaptor 210, etc.) for

downloading the contents of the unit 10 into the PDA. Other configurations are

possible depending on the particular needs of the user and may include universal

serial bus (USB) ports, pointing device inputs among other input/output interfaces

as are known in the art. In addition to standard telephone inputs such as the phone

line adaptor 220, a wireless communication link may be used to communicate with

a communications network (i.e. the Internet) using an antenna 200. The antenna

200 may also be placed inside the control unit 100. A power button 250 is

provided to control power to the electronics included in the control unit 100.

Internal to the control unit 100 is a CPU 400, associated memory and other

components which allow the CPU 400 to operate as a computer as is known in the

I art. The CPU 400 controls the function of the scanner 140, the display 130 and the

controllable lid 110. The CPU may be permanently connected to a

communications network or may initiate a connection as needed. The connectivity

of the unit 10 will be discussed in more detail below.

Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a communication network 730 such as

the Internet is used to provide connectivity of each unit 10 with a central database

720 that keeps track of the disposed contents in each unit 10. The communication network 730 may be accessed using the network adaptor 210 or by connecting the

control unit 100 to a modem (not shown) using the phone line adaptor 220 or

through a wireless connection using an internal modem (not shown) coupled to the

antenna 200 as is known in the art. Permanent "always on" connections such as

digital subscriber line (DSL), TI, satellite links, cable hookups, dial-up modems

plugged into a phone line or networked connections such as local or wide area

networks (LAN or WAN) may be utilized to provide the needed connectivity.

Suppliers, market researchers, recycling companies and other interested parties

700 also connect using the communication network 730 to access information

contained in the central database 720. Each e-trash unit 10 sends its information

which includes the type and amount of trash stored in each bin (112a, 113a, 114a

and 115a). Either the user or a third party contractor 700 may be notified when it

is time to empty the bins by a message being transmitted from the central database

720 using the communication network 730 or the user may be notified of the need

to empty the bins by a notification message appearing on the information display

130 located on the control unit 100. Other methods of notification, such as an

indicator light (not shown) mounted on the control unit 100 or on the controllable

lid 110 can be used. In the embodiment which relies on notification from the

central database 720 to inform the interested party (either the user or third party

contractor such as a recycling company) of the need to empty the bin, a

communication (such as an e-mail, telephone or data message) may be sent back to

the CPU 400 in the control unit 100. The information may be displayed on the information display 130. The choice of the method used to deliver emptying

instructions may be selected by the user to best suit the application.

In operation, the trash item is temporarily placed on the controllable lid 110

so that the bar code reader 140 can scan the item for an identification code. Most

products today have a scanable code affixed thereon but the process for dealing

with code-less and unrecognizable items is discussed below. The bar code reader

140 identifies the discarded item by referring to an identification database (not

shown) which is accessible by the CPU 400. The identification database can

physically reside within the e-trash unit 10 or it may be accessible by the CPU 400

through the communication network 730. A user presses the discard button 125 to

initiate the process of scarining and identifying the item. Once the item is

identified, the relevant information is displayed on display 130 such as a

description, title, reorder code or price of the replacement. If the user wishes to

reorder the item being discarded, an order is initiated in accordance to predefined

ordering instructions. The reordering process can take place automatically, that is

whenever a recognized item is disposed using the unit 10, the CPU generates and

transmits a reorder instruction to a selected supplier. In this way, reordering is

automatically accomplished using the present invention.

In another embodiment, the user is given the opportunity to confirm the

desire to reorder the discarded item. The user's choice may be inputted into the

control unit 100 using any suitable input method such as pressing the "soft button"

126 when instructed to do so by an instruction displayed on the information

display 130, pressing a key on a keyboard (not shown) or by speaking if a voice recognition input is implemented as is known in the art. In one embodiment, the

unit 10 transmits information regarding a discarded item being disposed of in a

unit 10 to a central reordering site such as a purchasing officer's workstation (not

shown) and allows the reordering decisions to be centralized rather than

individually made at the local unit 10 level. Once an identification is made, the

proper storage bin (112a, 113a, 114a or 115a) is selected to store the item. The

proper bin opening (112, 113, 114 or 115) is opened and the item falls into the

selected storage bin. The central database 720 is informed of the location of the

trash item. The proper storage bin is selected according to recycling guidelines

which can be customized depending on the geographic location of the user and the

recycling options available. Examples include of a simple recycling scheme would

include separating the trash into glass, plastic, metal and all else. A more elaborate

scheme may be used to suit the individual needs of the user such as separating

different color glass or different kinds of plastic, etc.

Some items like discarded organic or packing materials are not identifiable

by the unit 10 and the user may simply wish to discard them without identifying or

reordering. They may be simply discarded using a bypass means such as by

pressing the "soft button" 126 if the button is so programmed. Of course any other

input means to indicate the discard choice would be acceptable as discussed above.

Non-recyclable items may be stored in an appropriate bin. Items that are

recyclable but not reordered are still identified so as to be placed in the proper bin

and to update the central database 720 with the contents of the unit 10. The initial programming of the unit 10 is provided by the manufacturer of

the unit 10. The manufacturer may offer different options such a providing a unit

10 that only has a wireless interface for connecting with the communication

network 730 or may provide a "standard" unit 10 that includes most of the

common options with the user using the unit 10 in a way that makes sense in the

context of the user's application. Another embodiment includes a user

programable unit 10 that may be customized by the user. It is anticipated that an

operating system would be built into the CPU 400 along with a user specific

program interface that would allow the user to select various options from a menu

presented. In another embodiment, a large user of the present invention could

specify the functionality desired and the manufacturer would program the specific

requirements into the individual units 10. Some units 10 could be programmed to

meet different needs (i.e. some units 10 may have a voice recognition input while

others use a keyboard) and yet communicate and work together over the

communication network 730 to perform the required functions as a whole.

A method of the use an apparatus of one or units 10 is described with

reference to FIG. 6, a flow chart of the method of disposing of trash according to

the present invention. Initially, a trash item is placed on controllable lid 110 (step

S-100). The user is presented with a bypass (step S-105) to deal with the case of

unidentifiable or non-scannable items. Items selected for bypass are simply

discarded (step S-110). Items so discarded are placed in a general storage bin. If

the bypass (step S-105) is not selected, the item is scanned to see if a code is

detectable (step S-l 15). If no code is found, the user is given an opportunity to manually input a code (step S-120). If the item code is located (step S-l 15) or

manually inputted (step S-120), the code may be manually inputted using a

suitable input device such as voice recognition or keyboard as discussed above),

the code is compared using an identification database (step S-125). If a matching

code is found in the database, information such as title, price to replace or

reordering code, etc. is displayed on the display 140 (step S-140) allowing the user

to decide whether or not to replace and reorder the item (step S-l 45). If no

matching code is found (step S-125), the unit may optionally search using the

communication network 730 (step S-l 30) and, if found, the information is

displayed as discussed above. If no code is located (step S-l 35), the user is still

given the opportunity to reorder the item (step S-145), however, no information

will be displayed and a code will have to be manually entered if not previously

done (steps S-150 and S-155). A reorder instruction is generated and transmitted

to the proper supplier (step S-l 60). The reorder instruction is generated by the

CPU 400 according to the programming provided and customized by the user as

discussed above. The reorder instruction may be printed out and sent by mail to a

supplier may be transmitted electronically to the supplier. Next, the proper bin

opening (112, 113, 114 or 115) is selected (step S-l 65) and the content database is

updated to keep a record of the items stored therein (step S-l 70). As discussed

above, the proper bin is selected by referring to the local recycling rules

programmed into the CPU 400 or by the generic rules programmed by the

manufacturer. Users of the, e-trash units 10 may customize each unit to meet specific needs

of the user. Examples of the preferences users may specify include reordering

periods such as weekly, monthly or when the total value of the reorder equals or

exceeds a certain level. Other customizable preferences include which supplier or

suppliers to use which may be further customized by best price, specific supplier

for a specific consumable, method of payments such as credit card, billing, check

etc., which recycling company or companies to use, etc. Because the e-trash units

10 are customizable, the user experiences great flexibility when implementing the

present invention. The user benefits by using the e-trash units 10 by allowing

automated replacement of consumables and automated separation of recyclable

materials. Because the use of e-trash units 10 reorders consumables as specified

by the user, inventories may be reduced leading to enhanced productivity on the

part of the user. If the e-trash units 10 are used in a home setting, the user spends

less time in the supermarket since a list of used consumables is constantly

available. The "grocery list" can be generated by the e-trash unit 10. Additionally,

because of the ease and automated handling of recyclables, the user may be able to

benefit financially from the resale of the recycling materials sorted by the unit 10.

Also, all of the system and transaction information, such as reordering period,

reordering levels, suppliers, billing information, order history, order status, user

account information, recycling options, credits and the like, can be made available

to users over the Internet.

The role of the central database 720 in the function of the e-trash units 10 is

to store detailed lists of the contents of each unit 10 linked to the database 720. Additionally, the central database 720 stores the user preferences discussed above

such as how often to reorder, who to reorder from, the best price to pay, etc. Also,

the central database functions to authorize credit transactions between users,

suppliers and other third parties such as recycling and market research companies.

The central database may also send confirmations of orders or emptying

instructions as discussed above. These instructions and confirmations can be sent

by e-mail, "regular mail" or fax. Another role of the central database 720 is that of

statistic gatherer enabling the user to better anticipate their future needs and trends.

Suppliers who participate in the present invention benefit by receiving

automatic reorders which enhances customer loyalty. Credit may be preauthorized

reducing the risk of write-offs. Suppliers also benefit by the statistical data

generated by the central database 720 which allows the supplier to reduce the

inventory required to meet the customer's needs. Written confirmations of orders

are sent by the central database 720 providing a written contract to facilitate good

business relations .

Participating recycling companies benefit by having a steady source of

separated recyclables without having to deal with intermediaries which drives up

the cost. Credits for materials received from users can be credited through the

central database 10, thereby sfreamlining operations. Additionally, many users

will wish to contract with the recycling companies directly to empty the units 10

automatically, thereby increasing revenues for the recycling companies.

Other third parties such as marketing research companies benefit by having

a detailed list of the disposed items in each unit 10. This will allow research into ways to decrease supplier and user waste and to study consumer behavior.

Additionally, research may be done on ways to develop more environmental

packaging, especially in regard to high volume items as identified by the present

invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention

is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In

addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that

all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and

variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the

scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic discard unit comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);

an identification database accessible by the CPU;

a content database accessible by the CPU;

at least one input device coupled to the CPU;

the CPU executing programmatic software to perform functions

including:

using the at least one input device to obtain a code

corresponding

to a discarded item;

identifying the discarded item by referring to the

identification database;

updating the content database to include an entry

corresponding to the identified discarded item; and

generating a re-order instruction for replacing the discarded

item.

2. An electronic discard unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storage chamber for storing a discarded item therein; and

a controller, the controller coupled to the CPU and controlling access

to the storage chamber.

3. An electronic discard unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least two storage chambers for storing a discarded item therein;

and i

a controller, the controller being coupled to the CPU and controlling

access to each of the at least two storage chambers.

4. An electronic discard unit according to claim 3, wherein the CPU executes

programmatic software to further perform the function of updating the content

database to include the selected storage chamber of the discarded item.

5. An electronic discard unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one

input device includes a bar code scanner.

6. An electronic discard unit according to claim 3, wherein the means for

controlling access to each of the at least two storage chambers includes a computer

operated access port disposed at an opening of each of the at least two storage

chambers.

7. ! An electronic discard unit according to claim 1, further comprising a

network

adaptor electrically coupling the CPU to a communication network.

8. An elecfronic discard unit according to claim 7, wherein the CPU executes

programmatic software to further perform the function of transmitting the re-order

instruction to a supplier using the communication network.

9. An electronic discard unit according to claim 8, wherein the CPU executes

programmatic software to further perform the function of confirming to a user of

the electronic discard unit that the re-order instruction was processed.

10. A trash receiving unit comprising:

a holding container;

a computer operably coupled to the holding container, the computer

having a central processing unit and at least one user operable input device;

a content database accessible by the computer; the computer being operable to execute programmatic software

instructions to perform the functions of:

updating the content database with information regarding a trash

item stored the holding container;

receiving input from the at least one user operable input

device, the received input including an instruction to reorder the trash item; and

generating a re-order instruction corresponding to the trash

item in the holding container.

11. A trash receiving unit according to claim 10, further comprising a bar code

scanner for reading an identification code from the trash item.

12. A trash receiving unit according to claim 10, wherein the computer is voice

controllable.

13. A trash receiving unit according to claim 10, further comprising a network

adapter coupling the computer to a communication network.

14. A trash receiving unit according to claim 10, wherein the computer executes

instruction to a supplier.

15. A trash receiving unit according to claim 10, wherein the holding container

has at least two separate storage sections which are independently selectable by the

computer for storage of the trash item.

16. A trash receiving unit according to claim 15, wherein the computer selects

one of the at least two storage sections based on at least one predefined recycling

guideline.